***Content warning: This episode discusses institutional and child abuse. If you find this distressing, consider skipping the episode or listening at another time. For support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Additional support contacts are listed below.***

It’s been over seven years since the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse handed down its final report. Victim-survivors say they had hoped organisations would have “lent into their mistakes” by now.

In this episode of Law Matters, Institutional Abuse Practice Lead Associate Nathan Buyers speaks with journalist and social philospher Anne Manne about her 2024 book, Crimes of the Cross: The Anglican Paedophile Network of Newcastle, Its Protectors and the Man Who Fought for Justice, which lays bare the decades-long cover-up of child sexual abuse within the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle.

Nathan and Anne discuss:

• Why Anne felt compelled to write this book, despite its difficult subject matter.
• How the legal system has affected survivors.
• Why Anne believes the church has been obstructionist.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For support, please reach out to the following services:

• Lifeline – Free 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support for all Australians – 13 11 14.
• Clergy Abused Network – a network of trauma-informed and sensitive volunteers who share the experience of being impacted by abuse by clergy or abuse by lay workers in religious contexts.
• National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service – available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence - 1800RESPECT, 1800 737 732.
• Blue Knot Helpline – provides information and support for anyone who is affected by complex trauma, Monday - Sunday between 9 am - 5 pm AEST/AEDT – 1300 657 380.

For more information, please visit:

Our free online resource FAQs: Institutional Abuse

If you or someone you know needs guidance navigating an institutional abuse claim or would like more information, we’re here to help. Call us on 1800 874 949.

There's no doubt that the women's rights movement has made significant advancements in gender equality over the last 100 years, but there is still a long way to go.

In this episode of Law Matters, Catherine speaks with Sonia Hornery MP, State Member for Wallsend, about the critical issues affecting women both locally and across NSW.

They explore the ongoing struggles for gender equality, particularly in reproductive health, homelessness, and women's leadership.

In this episode, Catherine and Sonia discuss:

• The need for continued advocacy for women's rights and equality.
• The disproportionate impact of homelessness on women, often due to escaping violent relationships.
• The ongoing challenges of accessing abortion services, especially in regional NSW.

Listen now to hear about the powerful roles that women, like Sonia, are playing in advocating for change in politics, and the ongoing fight for gender equality in Australia.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information, please visit:

Our free resources on reproductive law.

If you’re looking for legal help in the areas of reproductive and fertility law, you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or call the team on 1800 874 949.

When you place a loved one in aged care, you want to be assured that they are getting the best care possible.

For many reasons—lots of them valid—the aged care sector in Australia has come under scrutiny in recent years. In this episode of Law Matters, we delve into why problems exist in aged care and what solutions might work.

Catherine Henry hosts this episode and speaks to CEO of Maroba Caring Communities, Viv Allanson OAM.

In this episode, Catherine and Viv discuss:

• How devastating the Royal Commission into Aged Care was for the sector
• Why some aged care facilities are broken
• How education and conversations can pave a positive way forward

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information, please visit:

Learn more about Aged Care Negligence and Elder Law, or download our free eBook, Growing Older.

If you’re concerned about a loved one’s treatment in aged care, you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or call the team on 1800 874 949.

***Content warning: This episode discusses institutional and child abuse. If this may be triggering for you, consider skipping this episode or listening at a different time. For support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (more contact numbers below)***

They’re meant to be places that have your best interests at heart, but some religious and government institutions have instead become spaces where abuse and neglect have occurred. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse exposed the scale of historic abuse in institutions in Australia.

In this episode of Law Matters, Catherine Henry speaks with Bob O’Toole, Co-founder and Chair of the Clergy Abused Network (C.A.N.) Hunter-Newcastle-Manning, about how his organisation supports those seeking justice and redress.

In this episode, Catherine and Bob talk about:

• How C.A.N. supports survivors
• Seeking justice through the National Redress Scheme, civil claims and mediation
• General advice for people thinking about seeking redress.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For support, please reach out to the following services:

Lifeline - Free 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support for all Australians - Call 13 11 14

Clergy Abused Network - a network of trauma-informed and sensitive volunteers who share the experience of being impacted by abuse by clergy or abuse by lay workers in religious contexts.

National Redress Scheme - is for people who experienced child sexual abuse while in an institution. The Scheme helps people access redress and can connect them to free confidential Redress Support Services.

For more information, please visit:

Our free online resource FAQs: Institutional Abuse.

If you or someone you know needs advice regarding redress for institutional abuse, you can learn more by contacting the team at Catherine Henry Lawyers on 1800 874 949.

***Content warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicide prevention. If this may be triggering for you, consider skipping this episode or listening at a different time. For support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (more contact numbers below)***

Death by suicide is hard to think about, let alone talk about. But this is what mental health advocate Craig Hamilton is asking us to do.

He wants everyone to make ‘the promise’ that if you’re struggling with your mental health, you will tell someone.

In this episode of Law Matters, Catherine Henry speaks to Craig about his recent documentary, The Promise, and the manic episode that began Craig’s mission to talk openly about mental health and work tirelessly to reduce stigma.

In this episode, Catherine and Craig talk about:

• How attitudes to mental health have changed over the past 20 years
• Why, despite all the advancements, we still need to do better when it comes to providing care for people with mental illness
• Why people in regional and rural Australia face even greater disadvantages

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

Mental Health Services

Lifeline - Free 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support for all Australians. Call 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service - Free 24/7 counselling support if you are at risk of or affected by suicide. Call 1300 659 467

Kids Helpline - Free 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800

13 YARN - Free 24/7 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander-run crisis support line. Call 13 92 76

If you or someone you know need advice regarding the care received during a mental health crisis, you can learn more about mental health and the law here, or contact the team at Catherine Henry Lawyers on 1800 874 949.

One in three women experience birth trauma. So, what's being done about it?

In May 2024, the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Birth Trauma released its report, which included five findings and 43 recommendations.

In this episode of Law Matters, Catherine Henry talks to the Chair of the Inquiry, MP for the NSW Animal Justice Party, Emma Hurst.

Together, they discuss:

• Why continuity of midwifery care is so vital to good birthing outcomes
• The experience of women who have sought legal advice following a traumatic birth
• The recommendations that were voted down by the inquiry committee that Emma felt so strongly about, she wrote a dissenting statement.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information:

• Access our free information resource
• Download our free eBook, Women and the Law
• Listen to the full episode of Law Matters with CEO of the Australasian Birth Trauma Association, Amy Dawes here.
• Find the full report on the NSW Select Committee Birth Trauma Inquiry here.

If you have a legal issue and live in regional NSW you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or call the team on 1800 874 949.

If you are not willing to be arrested in the fight against climate change, are you willing to support those climate activists who are?

That was the topic of discussion at the 2024 Margaret Henry Memorial Lecture with ethicist, writer and activist Dr Leslie Cannold from the Cranala Centre for Ethical Leadership, and Rising Tide Activist and Renewable Energy Engineer, Jasmine Stuart.

In this special episode of Law Matters, Catherine Henry brings to you the lecture that took place at Newcastle City Hall.

You’ll hear about:

• Why Rising Tide is targeting the coal port in Newcastle’s harbour as a vehicle to bring worldwide action to the climate crisis
• Why Dr Leslie Cannold is proposing that the older generations “sponsor” a young climate activist

• The strategy behind what is seen as radical activism and why climate activists feel this is their only option.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information:

• Rising Tide
• Margaret Henry Memorial Lecture

If you have a legal issue and want to talk to the team, you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or by calling 1800 874 949.

Going through a relationship breakdown is difficult for anyone. When you add children to the equation and tensions escalate to the point of legal proceedings, it's hard to spot a winner.

That’s why the 2024 amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 hold such significant interest for those working in the field or facing a family law matter.

In this episode, Senior Associate and Practice Leader of Relationship Law, Rob Dilley, talks to Arbitrator, Mediator and Barrister, Colin Forrest SC. Colin also served as a trial judge in the Family Court of Australia for ten years before resigning in 2021.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The new amendments that place the rights of the child to see the parents at the forefront (not the rights of the parents to see the child)
• Why it’s now harder for court orders to be changed
• How the role of Independent Children’s Lawyers has changed

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information please visit:

Our extensive online resources on Family Law.

For more information on the family law reforms, here's a fact sheet for parents prepared by the Attorney-General's Department.

You can also download our free eBook, Families and the Law: A guide to help you navigate the family law system.

If you have a legal issue and live in regional NSW you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or call the team on 1800 874 949.